Four panelists shared opinions Monday night on freedom of speech and current issues in a program recognizing Constitution Day on Saturday, Sept. 17.
The program was sponsored by the Ball State University Department of Journalism and College of Communication, Information and Media.
The panel discussion was dedicated to Emeritus Professor of Journalism Louis Ingelhart, who attended the event. Ingelhart said students are not involved enough in issues such as freedom of speech, but he is proud of Ball State student publications.
"Ball State students can write freely," Ingelhart said. "It has been a free press here and always has been that way from the beginning. We have been a leader in that manner of democratic operations."
The four panelists represented different areas of journalism.
Editor of the Indianapolis Star, Dennis Ryerson shared his experiences working with a daily newspaper and the multiple roles of the press in society.
Debra Gersh Hernandez, the national director of the Sunshine Week Program, emphasized American citizens' freedom of opinion.
Ron Collins, author of "Death of Discourse," a book explaining the First Amendment, shared his views as a First Amendment scholar.
Ball State senior and free speech advocate Laife Janovyak was included because of her experience holding public meetings on current issues.
Janovyak said she was shocked by what friends who went to help the Katrina Relief Effort told her about the state of communication in Louisiana.
"FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Association] does not communicate with the Red Cross. A week after the disaster and it still doesn't have communication," Janovyak said.
She was not the only panelist worried by the communication issue. Hernandez also expressed concerns.
"What we see in New Orleans is more frightening than a lack of information, it's a withholding of information, " Hernandez said.
The topic of communication issues in New Orleans led into the topic of problems with the "War on Terror."
Hernandez said the Secrecy Act is being used 33 times more frequently than it was during the Cold War.
"Things are being tucked away, and people will never know they are out there," Hernandez said.
Janovyak said she was having problems with the war because of how little she was able to learn.
"I consider it my responsibility to do my very best to try to get to the bottom of it," Janovyak said. "These are things that I don't hear about and I need to."
The panelists also discussed the freedom of speech and the future of the First Amendment if chief justice candidate John Roberts is approved.
When former Chief Justice of the United States William Rehnquist was in office, he voted against the First Amendment 93 percent of the time, Collins said. He said Roberts will probably get appointed to the position even though some people were upset that he would not speak on controversial issues during Senate hearings.
"Roberts is not a really big fan of the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)," Hernandez said. "When he was writing for the Reagan White House he was very reluctant to release information."
Burning of the flag as a method of expression sparked debate among the panelists. Ryerson said he remembers seeing cars going down the highways after Sept. 11, 2001, displaying flags being ripped to pieces by the wind. He said it was ironic that desecration that way is acceptable to society, while some people think burning a flag is not.
Collins also said the flag desecration amendment was only two votes short of being approved, and it would be the first time in United States history freedom of speech would be so restricted.
"What's next? Where do you stop? It's very, very dangerous." Ryerson said.
Ball State student Chad Ryan asked the panel their opinions on shield laws.
"It is vitally important to the reporter to have this protection," Hernandez said. "We have a reporter sitting in jail because they won't give up a source. A federal shield law will go a great way to protecting reporters and sources."
Ryerson said public officials have become less comfortable with talking to reporters. He said the lack of shield laws and the pressure reporters have been under make them unsure of what they are allowed to speak about.
"This to me is very dangerous when we have public officials saying maybe we should shut up," Ryerson said.
"I hope students go back and talk to people, or at least convey the impact it has on their lives," Ryerson said.
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